2BenzGarage

Coming up on my first oil change in the 350 since i've owned it (approx. 7500 mi or so) and had a question for those of you who DIY oil changes by pulling the drain plug. Trying to understand how similar/different this will be as compared to doing the oil in my E55. Did a search and couldn't find much info.

Does the drain plug have a crush washer? And if so, any good sources online to purchase? Also, is it recommended to replace both the plug and washer each time, like my E55?

nhoj_yelbom

crush washer, http://www.ecstuning.com/Mercedes_Be...ice/ES2524112/

1guitar

I have wanted to do my own oil changes on my E350 (W212) but have always relented as I don't have a professional lift in my garage and there's no way I'm getting under the car without safety measures, ie; jack stands. I have a 2010 and I've yet to devise a way to safely lift my car as there is no place to put a set of jack stands under the car thanks to M-B making it almost impossible to put a pair of jack stands under the chassis without removing the material that it affixed to the bottom of the entire length of the car. If someone has figured this out would you please share it with the rest of us. Thanks.
Mylo

lightfytr

Get an oil pump and change through the dip stick... Takes 15-20 minutes and you wont get dirty. I got mine for like $75

Something like this... http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...FaVQOgodJVQAIg

Arrie

I have been using a $7 hand pump that I bought each time with the oil from Walmart where they sell the Mobil 0W-40 oil in 5 qt jugs for $26. Just a week ago just by chance found an "oil extractor" in the camping department of the store for $25. Used it to change oil of my lawn mower and it works really well. Have not used it for the car yet but I don't see why it would not work for that too.

2BenzGarage

Extractors don't get all the oil out, I just don't trust that in the long run...

Guitar, look in to a good set of ramps, problem solved. I've had a set of race ramps for years and they work fantastic
http://www.raceramps.com/56-inch-car-service-ramps.aspx

Arrie

This "extractor" is a small pump that comes with a small suction tube to extract oil thru the dip stick tube. Would you explain why this would not work just like some other pump? Just because it cost only $25 instead of $75?

thefisch

More power to the DIY folks, but how much does it cost to change it yourself in parts including tax? Oil must be $50 plus tax. Filters around $20 or so. If you buy a pump each time, you might be in it for a total of $80. Is that about right?

1guitar

If you do your own oil changes it cost about $70 each time. Why would you think one would need to buy a new pump each time? In the end you save yourself about $60 each time you do it yourself plus you know it's been done right. If you think just because you bring your M-B to your dealer to have work done on your car and that is an assurance it's been right, think again. I've owned them for 25+ years and I've seen more screw-ups than you can shake a stick at. Of course, to each his own.
Mylo

lASTWAGEN11

I just used an oil extractor for the first oil change on my wife's E350. Got it from Northern Tool online for $50 including shipping. I was always one to "get it done from underneath" until I was faced with the MB. I'll say this about ease of use, so simple to get it done! It holds 8 qts so I can be sure all the old oil is out before refilling. The only mess was the oily clear tubing, but I slipped the small diameter tube back inside the large diameter tube, problem solved (even hooked it around the handle, locking the two together) and put it up on the shelf until the next oil change. Oh, it will take a while to draw out 8 qts, but I was busy doing other things which was kinda neat, mutli-tasking as they say! Give it a try.

Arrie

I used to buy the hand pump each time because the old oil ate up the seals of the pump. It would not work next time I change oil but the oil extractor should be fine as it is made for oil use.


I change my oil between the dealer service as I want oil changed at every 5000 miles regardless what MB recommends. I don't replace the filter, just the oil. Filter gets changed every 10 000 miles at the dealer.

thefisch

I referring to another post where someone said they buy a new pump each time. Any way you change it, you've got some costs in equipment.
I used to do it for the fun of it when it saved me only a few bucks. But that many moons ago and I don't have my tools and jack and stands any more.

Just curious how much it was. A respected indy near me charges $85 for an oil change. Dealer wants $125.

champaign777

Oil extractor
Go to the end of my thread, there is a triple video DIY filters/oil change job
Very easy weekend job for DIY folks

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-c...new-owner.html

2BenzGarage

Fisch, Oil comes out to just over $50, filter is $10 and the new crush washer for the drain plug is 27 cents

thefisch

Thanks.

Arrie

If you buy the oil in 5qt jugs it is a lot cheaper than $50. I forgot how much oil the E350 engine takes, was it 6 or 7qt?

If it is 6 qt then the oil is just about $32 + tax. If it is 7 qt then $37.

thefisch

I think it takes 8-8.5 from what I've read.

RSIKR

8 liters or 8.45 US Quarts. As I recall MB uses a certain specification for the Mobil 1. I am not certain that the Mobil 1 sold by places like Costco and nation wide auto stores is so marked. Look at the maintenance schedule in the sticky or your literature that came with the car.